Bush Point floats arrive safely, finally

Published 7:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2006

It’s been a long time coming.

The final pieces to the Bush Point boat launch ramp puzzle fell into place Dec. 5 when contractor IMCO from Bellingham installed four 3,400-pound floats.

The floats were anchored firmly to the existing concrete pilings. But not for long. To protect them from winter storm surges, the next day they were taken apart and put into storage on a nearby port property.

Port of South Whidbey director Ed Field said the floats will be re-installed in April with a public ceremony to dedicate the ramp.

“I’m relieved at this point,” said port commissioner Lynae Slinden.

“But the jury’s still out on the happiness level,” she said. “We’ll just have to see if everything goes OK; clearly this is a key component to wrapping it up.”

Slinden’s measured response was understandable considering Bush Point’s recent history.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife, which funded and oversaw the project, hopes the float delivery will end its obligation that began in 1998.

That year the port, responding to the needs of boaters and fishermen for water access on the island’s west side, persuaded the state to fund and build a launch spot.

A series of delays over the years — a septic versus sewer connection problem, discovery of an offshore surf smelt habitat, handicap-access needs, personnel changes and numerous other problems — raised the cost and helped fuel boaters’ anger.

Nor did it make life easier earlier last summer when it was discovered that several concrete pilings, designed to anchor the floats, were installed off the center line and needed to be corrected.

It took time and effort to persuade the contractors to make the fix. Meanwhile, the facility wasn’t officially opened and local residents expressed their frustrations at port meetings.

Former commissioner Gene Sears was pleased to hear the floats arrived and understands the root of the problem.

“In my opinion, Fish and Wildlife had too much personnel turnover during the years,” he said. “A boat ramp way up on Whidbey was never going to have the highest priority and each new person had a learning curve, some faster than others.”

For example, the department’s project engineer, Kristen Kuykendall, was forced to withdraw for several months for maternity leave, forcing assistant engineer Howard Brenner to step in and oversee completion.

When delays cropped up, the port was powerless to step in and insist that contractors meet their target completion dates.

Since the port wasn’t funding the project, they had no control over events.

“You don’t have a hammer to wield when you aren’t paying the bills,” Sears noted.

When grant funds — totaling $1.7 million from the department and the state Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation — were exhausted, the port reluctantly approved $115,000 to get the job finished.

The ramp itself is a unique pre-cast concrete grid that will provide traction for cars and boat trailers.

The on-site restroom, fencing, paved parking lot, landscaping and septic system are completed. Still, questions remain regarding disability access, the caretaker’s role, fishing and the neighbors.

Under the terms of a 35-year interlocal agreement, the port will manage and maintain the property — and find solutions when problems arise.

For example, when the wrong lights were installed, Field did something about it.

“For some reason, the state installed lights that polluted the neighborhood. But we’ve modified them,” Field said. “The key now is to get the project finished, take control, evaluate the situation and make any corrections needed.”

Slinden will be pleased when turnover is complete.

“All of us are looking forward to taking over the management at Bush Point.”

The Port of South Whidbey meets at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13 at Freeland’s Trinity Lutheran Church.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or jvanderford@southwhidbeyrecord.com.